Estrogen, a hormone familiar to many, has recently come under scrutiny for its unexpected presence in our drinking water. Concentrations of estrogen in drinking water have been linked to various health problems, sparking concern among families and individuals who are mindful of what they consume.

With the mounting evidence of estrogen's potential risks, the need for awareness and proactive measures has never been more pressing. Continue reading to discover the sources, impacts, and solutions to this growing concern in our water supplies.

Estrogen is a category of sex hormones responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. There are three major forms of estrogen that have estrogenic hormonal activity: estrone, estradiol, and estriol.

Excess amounts of estrogen, and other endocrine disruptors, can interfere with the hormonal system and have far-reaching effects on human health, such as breast cancer and other adverse effects.

Synthetic estrogen and chemicals that have an estrogenic effect on our bodies also hide in our drinking water supplies and result in the same adverse health effects as pure estrogen. These estrogen mimickers include trihalomethanes and bisphenol A (BPA).

Estrogen and other estrogenic compounds can find their way into our water systems through several sources, including wastewater, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, contraceptives like birth control pills, and synthetic estrogen. Wastewater treatment plants often struggle to remove these contaminants, leading to a troubling presence in drinking water.

Estrogen contamination in water supplies might seem like an unlikely concern, but it's a reality that affects communities globally. But how does estrogen end up in water?

Contrary to popular belief, oral contraceptives are not the main source of estrogen contamination in our water supplies. In fact, the main source of estrogen contamination is agricultural runoff – animal waste from the cattle industry makes up the majority of estrogen found in water.

Pharmaceutical waste is also a big contributor to estrogen contamination. Improper disposal of medication either from pharmaceutical manufacturers or from people flushing their pills can cause an influx of these chemicals to enter the water supply.

What many may not realize is the existence of estrogen not just in treated tap water but also in surface water. This leads to the question: why is tap water potentially dangerous? Estrogen's presence in tap water is part of a larger issue tied to water systems' inability to completely filter out these contaminants.

The contamination of water supplies with substances like estrogen creates pressing health risks, such as infertility and disruptions in the endocrine system. Drinking water contaminated with estrogen can lead to an increased risk of several types of cancer, male infertility, and breast tissue development.

Estrogen contamination can have a profound impact on family health, including challenges related to breastfeeding. If you want to understand more about how drinking water can affect breastfeeding and the health of your family, this article delves into the details.

The good news: Clearly Filtered's water filtration systems can remove up to 99.9% of the different forms of estrogen and other estrogenic compounds. See below for the forms of estrogen we target and head to our Lab Test Results page for a full breakdown of our performance data.

Water Pitcher:

• 17-beta-Estradiol: >99.95%

• Estradiol: >99.95%

• Estriol: >98.53%

• Estrone: >99.92%

• Ethinyl estradiol: >98.40%

• Bisphenol A: >99.99%

Filtered Water Bottle:

• 17-beta-Estradiol: >98.99%

• Estrone: >90.90%

• Ethinyl estradiol: >99.07%

• Bisphenol A: >99.02%

3-Stage Under the Sink Water Filter System:

• 17-beta-Estradiol: > 98.99%

• Estrone: >91.30%

• Ethinyl estradiol: >99.06%

• Bisphenol A: >99.01%

Universal Inline Fridge Filter:

• 17-beta-Estradiol: >98.99%

• Estrone: >91.30%

• Ethinyl estradiol: >99.06%

• Bisphenol A: >99.01%

If you'd like to learn more about estrogen and safe ways to remove it from your drinking water, read our follow-up article about how to remove human hormones from water. This additional resource offers deeper insights into not only the risks but also the solutions, giving you the tools you need to protect yourself and your family.

No matter how or where you use your water, upgrade to Clearly Filtered and ensure the highest water quality to protect your health and your loved ones.96